Let me say a couple things first…this recipe makes A LOT of cookies! I honestly can’t even tell you how many dozen, but depending on the cookie cutters being used it can be several. Second thing, I’m showing them here as Christmas cookies, but of course you can use this recipe for any holiday or occassion by simply using a corresponding cookie cutter. Okay, now we can get started 🙂

 

I have a wonderful tradition with my Mom and Grandma where we dedicate one full day each year to Christmas cookie baking; it’s one of my favorite days and I look forward to it every year! This year I actually spent the night at my Grandma’s due to the very early start time the next day (6:30 AM…yikes!) so it just made sense. In addition to making sense we got to spend a little more time together and play a game we always use to play when I spent nights there as a kid, Boggle! Do any of you remember this game? It was so fun to make a new memory with it.

Let’s get back to the cookies! These are fantastic cut outs and we really do get rave reviews about them as we hand out cookie plates to friends, family and co-workers. The dough rolls out so easily that baking these is just fun and easy! The most time consuming part for me is decorating, but I’ve been told I’m a little picky with this and perhaps a little on the perfectionist side! I think my Grandma can ice about 3 or 4 cookies in the time it takes me to do 1, maybe 2 haha. The icing is a simple mixture of powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and milk. Again, I will warn you the recipes below make A LOT! This is what we use for Christmas when we actually make this many on purpose 🙂 Please feel free to half or even quarter the recipe to meet your baking needs!

 

Cream Cheese Cut Out Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Butter (softened) *we actually leave ours out overnight
• 1 8-ounce pack Cream Cheese
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 1 Egg (If halving this recipe, check out this article on egg measurements)
• 1 tsp Pure Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
• 3 1/2 cups Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder

Instructions:

1. In a large mixer bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat until well mixed.
2. Add sugar and beat again until fluffy.
3. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract and beat well.
4. In a medium bowl, stir together flour and baking powder (organization hint, we actually do this first so it’s ready). Add flour mixture to the cream cheese mixture and beat until well mixed – we have the mixer running as we gradually add this.
5. Scoop or dump the dough from the bowl to a piece of parchment paper. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes before rolling (We use this time to clean up a bit and then move on to the fun part)
6. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness (or your preference) and cut with selected cookie cutters.
7. Bake at 350 for 7 – 10 minutes. (I use this gap, because all ovens bake a little differently; watch closely)

* The thickness and the prevention of over baking will result in deliciously soft cookies!

Cut Outs Icing

Ingredients:

• 1 Ib Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 stick Butter
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 – 3 Tbsp Milk

Instructions:

1. This is a simple one, mix ingredients together and beat until well combined and fluffy.
2. Separate into different bowls and add food coloring if multiple colors are desired.

I really hope you all enjoy these cookies as much as we do! This is a great recipe for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and any other time you want a great dessert for your guests and of course yourself! They look great on a cookie plate too as I mentioned we make plenty. To give you an idea of what all of our Christmas baking consists of, below is one of many cookie plates made this holiday season! More recipes to come 😉

As always, Thanks for reading!